Small towns have a certain charm, where everyone knows everyone else by name and disputes are resolved in a much simpler and more peaceful way than they might be in big cities. But they may also hide secrets, using their quiet, quaint exterior to mask something more sinister. Normal creates such a scenario, bringing a great deal of unrest and violence to a little town committed to preserving its idyllic nature, no matter how many outsiders they have to take out to make sure their tranquility isn’t disturbed.
Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) is the interim sheriff in Normal, Minnesota. He’s still in the first week of his eight-week stint before elections are held to replace his late predecessor, and he’s so far found everyone to be very nice. When two out-of-towners rob the local bank and his own deputies start shooting at him, he learns that there’s a reason why all the people in Normal get along so well: they’re all in on a deal with the Yakuza, which hides a large portion of their American-made fortune in their vault and won’t be happy at all to hear that their arsenal has been compromised.
Odenkirk’s recent film resume consists mostly of Nobody and Nobody 2, and while this film isn’t another sequel in that franchise, it is linked by the same screenwriter, Derek Kolstad, best known previously for John Wick. Ulysses is skilled at shooting and hand-to-hand combat, but he’s not supposed to be some assassin with incredible ability just trying to live a normal life. Instead, he’s apparently known for not getting involved, declaring that he plans to leave Normal exactly the way he found it, keeping the peace but hardly working to improve anything since that’s just not the role he sees for himself.
This film’s exposition is sufficient, but it really kicks into high gear when the guns start firing. It’s at its best in the heat of battle as Ulysses and his newfound allies, the bank robbers who are the only ones who aren’t trying to kill him, try to figure out a plan to survive when the whole town, including the beloved mayor (Henry Winkler), is united against them, determined to hold strong and protect their secret. The snowstorm that’s taking place in the middle of that fight for survival enhances the action and makes those bullet-filled chunks of this film very appealing to watch.
The surrounding setup and denouement aren’t quite as energizing, and it actually feels like there could be more packed into this ninety-minute film. Its ending comes at a point where more action could easily have been stuffed in, but there’s no more story left to tell. It’s not meant to be the same as Nobody since Ulysses, who frequently calls the wife he hasn’t seen in a while to update her in the hopes of her finally answering, doesn’t have a life to get back to, instead likely moving on to the next job that might allow him to continue to coast and not ruffle feathers, something he unfortunately hasn’t been successful at avoiding in Normal.
Odenkirk can carry a film, and he’s well-cast in this role, moving much more slowly than the more enthusiastic or battle-trained characters he’s played but perfectly convincing as someone who’s been able to get by and isn’t going to overreact to a situation if that’s not going to help. From the supporting cast, Winkler has a fun part and Jess McLeod makes an impact as the late sheriff’s grieving daughter. Director Ben Wheatley, whose credits range from Down Terrace to High-Rise to In the Earth, delivers something that’s the definition of light entertainment, able to provide a good action ride when things are moving fast and passable enough in its less exciting moments.
Movie Rating: 6/10
